Canada’s cultural and religious diversity has, without question, shaped the selection of fresh and prepared foods available today at both retail and foodservice. Religious dietary food laws are present in most major religions. These laws date back millennia and not only dictate what foods may be consumed, but also how such foods may be prepared and even cultivated. The reasons why religious food laws are so diverse are exceptionally fascinating and are the subject of much scholarly debate. Religious food law and modern food law do, however, have points where their relationship intersects.

One of the most intricate sets of religious dietary laws is the kashruth. This defines what foods are kosher, a term that is literally translated as what is fit or proper for consumption. In 1911, Crisco was among the earliest foods in North America to be widely marketed as kosher. In the early 1920s rabbinical authorities in the U.S. and Canada began efforts to bring more oversight to kosher labelling and advertising. Nevertheless this remained largely unregulated and was the cause of much frustration by Canadian consumers.

In the 1950s further strides were made to bring greater supervision and certification for kosher foods. By the 1960s kosher foods were starting to build a reputation for quality, and began to gain popularity with mainstream consumers who were purchasing them for non-religious reasons. In 1973 amendments to the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) were made that introduced the explicit requirement that foods labelled or advertised as kosher must meet all kashruth requirements applicable to that particular food. Notwithstanding a very minor technical amendment made in 1984, the FDR has not changed since.

Beyond requiring foods represented as kosher to meet the kashruth, the FDR does not actually provide any specific standards. Canadian consumers would not expect government to define religious dietary practices, nor would governments wish to interfere in this regard. Canadian consumers would, however, expect foods so marked to be clear and truthful, a matter that is generally governed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Here, then, Old World religious dietary food law overlaps with modern food law.

In June 2013, amendments to the FDR were proposed to add clarity in the case of foods represented by the term halal or any other markings that would otherwise indicate that the food is halal. Governed by Islamic law, halal defines foods that are “permissible” for consumption by Muslims. It is similar but not identical to kosher.

Canada’s expanding diversity has seen the demand for halal foods grow rapidly over the last two decades. The market in Canada for halal foods is currently estimated to be $1 billion annually, and is growing. There are also varying interpretations of Islamic law on what constitutes halal, creating frustrations among consumers and causing Old and New World food laws to again intersect.

Ross Romaniuk/Metro The U of R installed washroom foot-baths, or foot-sinks, at its Riddell Centre this summer.

The University of Regina is going to great lengths to help its Muslim students avoid doing the same when washing for on-campus prayer sessions.

The university has installed “foot-baths” in a public washroom at its Riddell Centre, in order to allow Muslim students — many of whom pray numerous times a day, and wash themselves beforehand — to clean their feet in a way that isn’t awkward and difficult through a use of regular sinks.

“I’ve seen them do it. It’s tough for them,” Nathan Sgrazzutti, president of the U of R Students Union, said on Tuesday of the troubles that many of the more than 700 practising Muslims at the campus had experienced when preparing for prayers.

“We’re showing our ability to cater to their needs.”

Two foot-baths, resembling large sinks with seats, are in a men’s washroom following their installation earlier this summer at what university spokesman Dale Johnson said was a total cost of about $35,000.

“I haven’t been in the women’s washroom, but I’m under the understanding it’s in both,” Sgrazzutti said, lauding the U of R’s administration for its efforts to assist Muslim students from Regina and those who have come to the campus from other countries.

“There was a bit of a push from our Muslim students society as well as the students union, and the university was very receptive.”

An “official opening” for the foot-baths, said Johnson, will be held by Muslim students on Oct. 2.

“It’s a really neat addition,” Sgrazzutti said of the new bathroom facilities, which some refer to as “foot-sinks.”

Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t count the blessings of Allah. An obvious blessing is the day of Jumu’ah (congregational prayer for Muslims). Friday is called Jummah. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best day the sun rises over is Friday. On it Allah created Adam. On it he was made to enter paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday.”
[Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi].

FACT #2

“It was named Jumu’ah because it is derived from the word Al-Jam’ in Arabic which means to gather, as Muslims gather on this day every week, and Allah has commanded the believers to gather for His worship, as He says that which means: “Oh you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for Jumu`ah (Friday prayer), come fast to the remembrance of Allah.”
(meaning be keen to go and attend it)
[Quran 62: 9]

FACT #3

The congregational prayer (Jumu’ah prayer) is one of the obligatory acts in Islam and one of the great gatherings of Muslims. The angels sit in wait for the arrival of people.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “On the day of Jummah, the angels stand at the entrance of that masjid in which Jumuah salat is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the masjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah; the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah.Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]

FACT #4

The day of Jumu’ah includes an hour during which all supplications are accepted. Abu Hurayrah, narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said: “On (the day of) Jumu’ah is an hour during which Allah gives to a Muslim servant standing in prayer whatever he asks for.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]

FACT #5

Giving your charity on Jummah carries more virtue than other days. Ka’b, narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Charity given during the day of Jumu’ah is greater (in reward) than any other day.”

FACT #6

Believers in Allah will see Allah on Jummah.

FACT #7

It is an Eid for muslims. This holiday happens regularly and frequently. Ibn Abbas, narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Jumu’ah is a day of celebration, so whoever attends it should perform ghusl beforehand.”
[Ibn Majah]

FACT #8

It is a day on which sins are forgiven.
Salman narrated Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Any man who performs ghusl on Friday, perfumes himself if he has perfume, wears the best of his clothes, then goes to the mosque and offers as many prayers as he wishes while not harming anybody, then listens quietly while the Imam speaks until he offers the prayer, will have all his sins between that Friday and the next forgiven.”
[Al Bukhari]

FACT #9

When walking to attend the Friday sermon, a Muslim gets the reward of both praying qiyam (the night prayer) and fasting a full year. Aws ibn Aws narrated Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever performs ghusl on Friday after having sexual intercourse with his wife, then goes early to the mosque and attends from the beginning of the khutbah and draws near to the Imam and listens to him attentively, Allah will give him the full reward of fasting all the days of a year and observing night-vigil on each of its nights for every step that he took towards the mosque.”
[Ahmad]

FACT #10

Dying on Friday, during the day or night, is a sign of a good end. Allah The Almighty will enable the person to be steadfast during it. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Any Muslim who dies during the day or night of Friday will be protected by Allah from the trial of the grave.” [At Tirmidhi and Ahmad]

SUBHANALLAH!!!

Please Share ……Spread the knowledge so it will be Sadqa-e-Jaaria (everlasting charity) for you and for us… In’Shaa’Allah.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever directs someone to a good, then he will have the reward equal to the doer of the action.” [Muslim 1893]

Join us at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto for the 13th annual Tarbiyah Conference as we tackle the theme of “Strengthening the Foundations of Our Identity.”

With the ongoing challenges and influences faced by each and every one of us in our day to day lives, we begin to question, who am I? Where am I heading? Who do I belong with? How do I address my issues? What is my role as a Canadian Muslim? What is my identity? What is the fine line that allows me to balance my religion and the material world of school, home and work?

Come be part of an experience where, you will be empowered with real answers to these pertinent questions, regarding your identity.

Know it.

We will define what “our identity” means in its pluralistic forms.

Love it.

We will examine why we should be proud of our identity.

Live it.

We will discuss how we can strengthen our identity. Practical examples will be taken from the lives of the Prophets and Companions, as well as from our contemporary life.

This is a conference you do not want to miss. The Islamic Foundation of Toronto invites you, to be a part of this exceptional event on:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

September 20th, 21st and 22nd

Everyone of all ages, religions and backgrounds are welcome to attend the Youth Tarbiyah Conference. The Admission is FREE.

Special morning Ilm intensive session, at the Youth Tarbiyah Quest with Imam Tahir Anwar and Sh. Zaheer Mahmood. Using the text of Ibn Kathir’s Qasasul Ambiya, we will study the theme of Identity from the life of the father of Prophets, Ibrahim (pbuh).

Zakāt (زكاة‎)

Hajj (حج‎)

is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest pilgrimage in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam. A religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.

Sawm (صوم‎)

is an Arabic word for fasting. Meaning to abstain from eating, drinking, having sex and anything against Islamic law from dawn till dusk. The observance of Sawm during the holy month of Ramadan is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam.